Bruno Fernandes Highlights Importance Of Results For Manchester United's Europa League Ambitions

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Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United's confidence is growing, but he acknowledges that their success will ultimately be judged by results. After advancing to the Europa League quarter-finals, United's only chance for a trophy this season lies in UEFA's second-tier competition. They secured a 5-2 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad, with Fernandes scoring a hat-trick in the second leg.

United's captain emphasised the importance of winning, stating, "This club is all about winning. We need to win games." He expressed confidence in their ability to succeed if they maintain focus and the right mindset. Fernandes noted that confidence plays a significant role in football and that progress will be evident through results.

Fernandes highlighted the team's progress, saying, "We are doing very good progress, but the progress will be seen if we get results." The team is determined to continue their journey with Lyon awaiting them in the next round. The victory over Real Sociedad was marked by impressive performances from key players.

Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot early in the return leg after Matthijs de Ligt fouled him. United quickly responded when Rasmus Hojlund won a penalty following Fernandes' clever pass. Fernandes confidently converted it, showcasing his prowess as the top penalty scorer in Europa League history with ten goals.

Fernandes added another goal from 12 yards after Patrick Dorgu was fouled and completed his hat-trick with a shot into the far corner following Alejandro Garnacho's run. This brought his total goal involvements in the competition to 41 (24 goals, 17 assists), setting a new record for most contributions in Europa League history.

Rasmus Hojlund played a crucial role by assisting Diogo Dalot's late goal. This eased some pressure on Hojlund, who has been struggling to find form under Ruben Amorim's management. Fernandes expressed support for his teammate, saying strikers thrive on goals and that once Hojlund scores one, more will follow.

Unbeaten Streak at Old Trafford

The victory extended United's unbeaten streak at Old Trafford in Europa League knockout matches to 16 games (11 wins and five draws). Their last defeat came against Athletic Bilbao in March 2012. The team aims to maintain this momentum as they advance further in the competition.

The journey ahead remains challenging for Manchester United as they strive for success in Europe. With confidence building and key players delivering strong performances, they are determined to achieve their goals this season.